Reflections

January 5, 2014 2:00 AM

On the 3rd, I had the wonderful opportunity to be part of a space of thought-provokers, world shakers and earth movers. Nine people who were inspirational in their own way. After having gone through a very rough semester filled with constant self-doubt and anxiety, I felt like the space and perspectives I explored were exactly what I needed to regain the inspiration and confidence I needed for this coming semester.

That same day, I came up with a list of four goals to accomplish by the end of the semester:

1. Exercise and be consistent. Currently, the plan is to exercise every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday or Sunday, depending on which day is better according to my work schedule. The purpose of this is not to gain a certain body shape or even to be a healthier individual, but rather for the endorphins. It’s been proven that regular exercise can help you stay happy and focused, which is exactly what I need to be in order to do what I want to do this semester. This is also a way to help QJ with his dream to start his own personal training business. He needs testimonials, and seeing as he is the person creating my exercise routines, I can give that to him. I can give him the results and success story he needs to start.

2. Connect with professors. I need to take advantage of the multitude of resources available to me as a University of Toronto student, including access to the minds of well-renowned researchers and professionals from around the world. Something I’ve always said I wanted to do, but never really worked toward. One of the people who was at the space is an individual who constantly networks and is friends with many professors. He gave me extremely important advice: they are people too. My plan is to go to as many office hours as I can go to and speak to every one of my professors, not just about the course content, but also their respective field of study. Also to let them know how much I, as an as an aspiring teacher, respect them for dedicating their lives to teaching and researching a subject they are passionate about, as well as to get to know them as people, as opposed to intimidating authoritative figures. Unable to go to their office hours due to schedule differences? E-mail the heck out of them!

3. Achieve at least a 3.0 in every course. Something I’ve never really accepted coming out of high school were my no longer constant 80’s-100’s. But it’s something I need to understand: that the university marking system is a lot different than in high school. The plan is to make school work a priority, and, though it kills me to say this, extracurriculars less of a priority. Because I understand how important grades truly are. No, they are not the most important thing in the world, but they are crucial in order to do the things I truly want to do. I’ve always had at least one course in the semester wherein I would get less than a 3.0 and thus, I think this is a very challenging, yet realistic goal.

4. Apply for at least one research or internship position at an organization that I would like my future self to be working for for the rest of my life, regardless of chances of failure. Because I also need to think long term. Also, no rushing it in two days to a week, like I’ve done with every application I’ve ever written. Put 110% of myself into the application. Current organizations on the list include Doctors Without Borders, Plan Canada and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilation Hospital.

It is worth noting that the space occurred at Covernotes, a lovely little café in Richmond Hill that sold fair trade coffee, and whose walls were laden with piles and bookshelves of books, freely available for everyone to read.

On the 4th, I began my goals by exercising with QJ (at a new location this time) and getting some IDC tasks out of the way so I can get started on readings later today.

January 3, 2014 2:53 AM

New Years Day, when the clock struck midnight, I was at a family friend’s house with my mom and dad. We jumped, threw money on the ground, wore polka dots, kissed each other, shook wallets filled with money and coins, etc because that’s the way to be prosperous in the new year, people!

I received and sent a long message from/to QJ giving each other our thanks and love for 2013 and excitement for the new year. It’s becoming a tradition that I sincerely hope will last for a very, very long time.

We toasted with some sparkling champagne, which I didn’t like because it had the faint taste of vinegar, after having just had cranberry cocktail with some vodka 30 minutes prior.

After the taking of several pictures, us non-parents (Trisha, Kim, Clarisse, Inah, Meoj and I) left the parents to do some karaoke while we went downstairs to watch the Youtube channel of a couple who continuously pranks one another. I have no idea how they manage to maintain the trust in that relationship, but I guess that’s love for you!

Took a little break from the videos in between to hear Inah sing a lovely rendition of a Filipino song. She has a great voice and it amazes me that I’ve known her since I came to Canada and didn’t know this fact until about two years ago.

Later fell asleep watching videos, only to be woken up at 3 AM to finally go home! I was on the phone with QJ for until about 4 AM. Always one of my favourite parts of the day.

Woke up at around 8 AM because I had work at 10:15 AM. It was pretty great! Greeted guests with “Happy New Year!” and it wasn’t as busy as I expected. It was time and a half so I didn’t mind staying until 5:30 PM even though I finished at 4:45 PM. We gave Jomar a ride home and I learned so much more about him and his family! It’s amazing what you can learn about other people simply just by asking questions!

When I got home, I started making a possible poster design for IDC because we’ve been slacking on that. Made something based off of the sponsorship package cover Shiro made. I really feel like I never truly made something original so far for IDC, but you do what you can, I guess. It actually turned out pretty good. I’m quite content, though Shiro probably has a better design than me.

—-

Woke up to a message from QJ with a link to a very motivational article. I essentially learned that if you actually want to make an impact in the world, you really need to invest in your personal development first so you can build up the skills set you need to help others. Ask yourself not how you can get a job/your dream guy/girl but rather how you can be the person your future employer/dream guy/girl would want you to be. What can you offer them? Though it stressed me out at first, I realize now that it was actually good for me to have read that. This year, I aspire to be the best sister/daughter/girlfriend/friend/marketing coordinator/Cineplex employee!! No more procrastinating!!

Had work again. Got called in for 2:30 PM because Shandae was sick. Was bummed out at first because I, too, was mildly sick but it was alright afterwards because it ended up being a great shift! I love my coworkers. Worked with Dylan, Ravindra, Earvin, Ervine, Shane and Travis today. Also trained Hagar because I was the only girl scheduled for the entire day and thus they needed another girl for the evening. Tameka also let me leave early at 8 PM as opposed to 8:30 PM which was pretty awesome.

Didn’t go to the cast party afterwards because I had already made plans to hang out with my Frenchies. It was great! We went to Caitlin’s house and played Cards Against Humanity and Scattegories. Caitlin (of course), Fionna, Sarah, Veronica, Alex Cabaj, Shannon and Karen were present. Her mom gave me two pieces of jerk chicken, four pieces of lumpia, some spicy Korean glass noodles and two quiches because I hadn’t eaten yet, which was incredibly nice of her family!

I always have such a great time with them and I love the fact that we still keep in touch even though we finished high school two years ago.

January 1, 2014, 4:20 AM

New year, new me?

Always found that to be really clichéd and a total hyperbole, because can you ever be a totally new you? But I will say this. I hope for this year to be a time where I grow and learn. I learned a lot in 2013, but due to lack of time of reflection, I feel like I don’t exactly know what it is I learned. This is therefore my reason to once again start this journal and hopefully this time, actually maintain it. A way for me to record my daily experiences, things I’ve learned, and will hopefully serve as a period of reflection each day for no one else but me. To reflect on my successes and failures of the day and to see how I can become a better person tomorrow. That, and also to allow me to practice writing. I feel like I haven’t truly written anything since I finished my gr. 12 English course.

As a very special person in my life told me to do when the clock struck midnight, I will dominate 2014.

New year’s resolutions?

I have plenty running through my mind, but when I really think about it, it comes down to the following: Be more productive. Stop procrastinating. Prioritize. These three essentially go hand in hand, however. Prioritizing leads to less procrastination, which leads to more productivity. With those three in mind, I think all else follows.

(via tsukimi-yuki)